Jeff Marion, Ph.D.
Jeff is a Research Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center at Blacksburg, VA.
Jeff Marion grew up exploring the woods, streams, and caves of Kentucky, developing strong interests in nature study and high adventure outdoor activities. One of four Eagle Scouts in his family, he served for five summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, teaching backpacking and climbing skills. Coursework in biology, ecology, and geology at Wittenberg University led to a B.S. in Biology (1979), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Recreation Resources Management from the University of Minnesota (1982/84). Graduate studies focused on recreation ecology research, combining strong personal interests in the ecological sciences with his continuing passion for outdoor recreational pursuits, particularly backpacking, climbing, caving, and canoeing. His doctoral research measured camping-associated environmental impacts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to investigate relationships between biophysical impacts, amount ofuse, and plant community, soil, and ecological classifications.
Professional Experience
8/97-2001 - DOI, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader for the PWRC Virginia Tech Field Station. Conducted recreation ecology research to evaluate visitor impacts to protected natural areas.
11/94-7/97 - DOI, National Biological Survey, Div. of Cooperative Research, Blacksburg, VA Title: Research Biologist Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit. Conducted recreation ecology research.
6/85-10/94 - DOI, National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Region Title: Research Biologist Duty Stations: 1) Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA and 2) Delaware Water Gap NRA; Milford, PA Dates: 1) 10/89-10/94 2) 6/85-9/89 Duties: Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit (when at VT). Conducted recreation ecology research.
12/84-5/85 - University of Wisconsin, Park, Recreation & Resource Management program, River Falls, WI Title: Assistant Professor
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Recreation Resources Management, 3/82-7/84, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
M.S. Recreation Resources Management, 9/80-3/82, Univ. of Minnesota - Forest Resources
Environmental Science, 9/79-6/80, Duke University - School of the Environment (transferred)
B.A. Biology, 9/75-6/79, Wittenberg University
Science and Products
Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation: Results from Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area
Assessing recreation impacts to cliffs in Shenandoah National Park: Integrating visitor observation with trail and recreation site measurements
Communicating Leave No Trace ethics and practices: Efficacy of two-day trainer courses
A comparison of campfire impacts and policies in seven protected areas
Management, monitoring, and protection protocols for seabeach amaranth at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
Synthesis of management, monitoring, and protections protocols for the threatened and endangered species and species of special concern at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
Research for the development of best management practices for minimizing horse trail impacts on the Hoosier National Forest
Effectiveness of a confinement strategy for reducing campsite impacts in Shenandoah National Park
Environmental impacts associated with recreational horse riding
Environmentally sustainable trail management
Science and Products
- Science
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 121
Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation: Results from Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area
This report describes results from a comprehensive assessment of resource conditions on a large (24%) sample of the trail system within Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area (BSF). Components include research to develop state-of-knowledge trail impact assessment and monitoring methods, application of survey methods to BSF trails, analysis and summary of results, and recommendationsAuthorsJ. L. Marion, N. OliveAssessing recreation impacts to cliffs in Shenandoah National Park: Integrating visitor observation with trail and recreation site measurements
The rock outcrops and cliffs of Shenandoah National Park provide habitat for several rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the federally endangered Shenandoah Salamander (Plethodon shenandoah; Ludwig et al., 1993). The location of the well-known park tour road, Skyline Drive, along the ridgeline provides exceptional access to many outcrops and cliffs throughout the park for a laAuthorsK.T. Wood, S.R. Lawson, J. L. MarionCommunicating Leave No Trace ethics and practices: Efficacy of two-day trainer courses
Heavy recreational visitation within protected natural areas has resulted in many ecological impacts. Many of these impacts may be avoided or minimized through adoption of low-impact hiking and camping practices. Although ?No Trace? messages have been promoted in public lands since the 1970s, few studies have documented the reception and effectiveness of these messages. The U.S. Leave No TraceAuthorsM.L. Daniels, J. L. MarionA comparison of campfire impacts and policies in seven protected areas
Using resource-monitoring data from seven protected areas, the effectiveness of three campfire policies—campfire ban, designated campfires, and unregulated campfires—were assessed based on the number of fire sites and the amount of tree damage. Results indicate that unregulated campfire policies permitted substantial numbers of fire sites and tree damage in campsites, although fire bans did not elAuthorsS. E. Reid, Jeffrey L. MarionManagement, monitoring, and protection protocols for seabeach amaranth at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
No abstract available.AuthorsJ. L. MarionSynthesis of management, monitoring, and protections protocols for the threatened and endangered species and species of special concern at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
No abstract available.AuthorsJ.B. Cohen, R.M. Erwin, J.B. French, J. L. Marion, J.M. MeyersResearch for the development of best management practices for minimizing horse trail impacts on the Hoosier National Forest
This research investigates horse trail impacts to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between various levels of horse use, horse trail management alternatives, and subsequent horse trail degradation. A survey of existing horse trails on the Hoosier National Forest was used to collect data on use-related, environmental and management factors to model horse trail impacts. Results arAuthorsM.W. Aust, J. L. Marion, K. KyleEffectiveness of a confinement strategy for reducing campsite impacts in Shenandoah National Park
The expansion and proliferation of backcountry campsites is a persistent problem in many parks and protected areas. Shenandoah National Park (SNP) has one of the highest backcountry overnight use densities in the USA national parks system. SNP managers implemented a multi-option backcountry camping policy in 2000 that included camping containment with established campsites. These actions were iAuthorsS. E. Reid, J. L. MarionEnvironmental impacts associated with recreational horse riding
No abstract available.AuthorsD.E. Newsome, D.N. Cole, J. L. MarionEnvironmentally sustainable trail management
No abstract available.AuthorsJ. L. Marion, Y.-F. Leung - News